Curtain rod



April 23, 1946. J CHILTON I 2,399,001

1 CURTAIN ROD I Filed June 3, 1944 M N Q 5 Q 1:3 N u fii v $1 aczzchzm INVENTOR.

' Bfl pddm.

Patented Apr. 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE oUn'rAmnop v Judd Chilton,..Chicago, Ill. Application ne 3, 1944, Serial No. 538,618 1 Claim. (o1.211 -'-123) My invention relates to curtain rods, and more particularly to the type designed to be applied directly to the window frame by the occupant of the premises, and one of my objects is to provide a curtain rod which is designed to engage the window frame by spring pressure in order to support the curtain rod at the desired height.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curtain rod of the above character which has a plain or smooth appearance throughout, presenting no unsightly projections and imparting a pleasing effect.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a curtain rod which is largely in the form of a stick or rod, only requiring small end fixtures for purposes of attachment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring device for the securing portions of the rod which is fully concealed from view and protected against rust, dirt or injury by external objects.

An additional object of the invention is to provide securing means for the curtain rod which are adjustable to lengthen or shorten the same in order to fit window frames of different widths.

A further object of the invention is to construct the curtain rod with means to keep it spaced from the front of the window frame, in order that the curtain may have ample clearance when hung on the rod.

An important object of the invention is to construct the improved curtain rod with a minimum number of parts which are simple, sturdy and.v

economical to produce.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the curtain rod as mounted;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section of the right-hand securing unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the unit at a different point of adjustment; and

Fig. 4 is a right-hand end view of Fig. 3.

Essentially, the improved curtain rod has the form and appearance of the conventional wood or metal curtain rod. In the present case, it may be a rod I made of wood or plastic finished in an attractive color or design. The rod is plain over the greater portion of its length, as indicated in Fig; 1, and receives the securing or attaching device at its ends.

The right-hand securing device is shown more clearly in Fig. 2 and consists mainly of a metal tube. II which is slid over the corresponding end of the rod Ill. The tube has a projecting wing I2 which is designed to engage the side I3 of the window frame I4. As indicated in Fig. 4, the wing I2 is enlarged at I 5 to secure a greater area of application; and the enlargement is lined by a strip I6 of rubber or fabric. Since the wing I2 is intended to engage the frame side I3 with pressure, the strip I6 adds an element of friction to insure a better hold of the wing I2 on the window frame.

. Since a pair'of the securing devices is carried by the rod II], the wings I2 thereof are formed with inward steps I! at their junctions with the tubes I I, and Fig. 1 shows that these steps form spacers for the tubes to keep the rod I0 sufiiciently apart from the window frame I4 for the free disposal or passage of the curtains.

As previously mentioned, the securing devices contain spring pressure means in order to exert their hold on the window frame I4. Fig. 2 shows more clearly that such means consist essentially of a coil spring I8 in the outer end of each tube II. Such end contains a notch I9 on the side facing the window for hooking one end 20 of the spring. The other end of the spring extends with a longitudinal shank 2| along the wall of the tube which contains the notch I9. The shank terminates with a hook 22 which enters a recess 23 made in the end portion of the rod I0. The latter contains a longitudinal series of the recesses 23, as shown, these opening on a longitudinal groove 24 alined with the shank 2| of the hook 22.

The setting of the spring as just described is designed to locate the wings I2 of the rod somewhat closer to each other than the span between the window frame sides I3. Therefore, when the rod is applied to window, one of the wings is placed against the correspondingly-located side of the window frame, and the tube II on the opposite side drawn in an outward direction until its wing I2 is in a position to engage the related side of the frame. The pulling action on the lastmentioned tube II draws on the sprin I ins thereof, placing the same under tension to exert a constant pull on the wing I2, whereby to hold 7 the rod. in firm engagement with the window frame.

Where the window frame is narrower, so that the rod will not fit as described, the rod itself the next or the third recess 23, the tube replaced, and the end hook 20 again caught in the notch I 9. Now the tube Ii telescopes the rod III to a greater extent, making the overall length of the same shorter. If one or two adjustments of the particular securing device as just described still leave the rod too long for the particular width of window frame, similar adjustments may also be made in the,securing device at the opposite end. Thus, two or three sizes of curtain rods will be adaptable t all household windows.

It will b evident from the above description that I have provided a curtain rod which employs simple means to secure it to the window frame. Further, these means are spring actuated and constantly engaged, whereby to main tain the hold of the rod. Further, the securing means obtain a frictional and gripping engagement by means of the rubber or fabric lining I5, so as to maintain the position of the curtain rod in case the window is jarred or receives vibration from other causes. The step feature i1 is a simple and positive spacer to provide clearance for the curtain. Further, the tubular type of terminal securing device is not only a smooth extension of the rod, but enables the latter to be produced and used without fittings, extensions or other involvements. In other words, the rod can stallations are fully concealed in the tubes ll, so that they are protected from dust, dirt or injury by external objects. The curtain rod therefore presents a smooth and neat external appearance, concealing its mechanism from view, and is susceptible of embellishment or ornamentation in various colors or designs. Finally, it is apparent that the few parts involved in the construction of the novel curtain rod enable it to be manufactured at low cost.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider such be cut in proper lengths from stock, and only v changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claim.

I claim:

The combination with a curtain rod and brackets terminally thereof engageable with the side edges of a window frame; of a pair of tubes longitudinally slidable on the end portions of the rod and carrying said brackets, and independent means between the tubes and the corresponding ones of said end portions to draw the tubes inwardly, whereby to impart pressure to the engaging action of the brackets, and said means in relation to each end of the rod comprising a spring with its outer end hooked in a notch in the outer end edge of the tube, the inner end of the spring being secured to the corresponding end portion of the rod.

JUDD E. CHILTON. 

